Thomas, Walter

DESCRIPTION

NameThomas, WalterDate of Birth21 April 1889 Last edited by: June Hockey

Date of Death1957 Last edited by: June Hockey

OccupationMethodist MinisterPlace of ResidenceMarshall Mount, CalderwoodBiographyWalter John Thomas was born at Marshall Mount in 1889, to William and Jane Thomas (nee Pearson).

Walter Thomas volunteered for service with the First Light Horse Regiment, and served in Egypt and Gallipoli, where he was wounded and invalided home in 1916. He re-enlisted six weeks later and embarked with the 22nd Reinforcements of the 13th Battalion.

Walter took part in the Battle of Bullecourt and during the fighting, was one of 900 men taken prisoner. His health deteriorated in the prison camp, and he was eventually transferred to Switzerland during an exchange of prisoners.

When he arrived home, he took up a Ministry in the Methodist Church.

Walter met his wife Isabelle McCall during the war and married her after he took up church work.

It is believed Walter Thomas, and his friend Bob Parkinson may have been the first from the area to enlist in the Light Horse.

Walter’s father, William Thomas II, was also heavily involved with the Methodist Church and handed down The Legend of Marshall Mount Creek to his son, who in turn passed it down to his children.

Many years ago, up under the mountain cliffs at the head of Calderwood Valley, there emerged two springs of water. One said, ‘It is so beautiful and cool in the shade of the thick bush, and I want to remain here forever’. The other proclaimed ‘I am going to see the world and enjoy myself’, and so went scampering down the mountain and glistening in the sun, building up fertile flats and forever providing food and water for man and beast and spreading goodwill and happiness in its path.

Years later, when the spring which formed the Marshall Mount Creek returned to the mountain cliffs to inquire into the welfare of the other, it found its neighbor, gloomy and stagnant, a wasted life’.

Walter died in 1957 and was buried at the Marshall Mount Methodist Cemetery.
Information - 'One Hundred and Thirty Years' Stan Thomas.

External LinkMarshall Mount 1916Marshall Mount 1916Marshall Mount 1917Soldier's Missing 1917

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Walter Thomas. Donated by Joyce Thomas.

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CollectionPeopleThomas, William and Jane CollectionThomas, Walter John CollectionThomas, William and Sarah CollectionFamilyThomasLocalityShellharbour VillageMarshall MountPersonThomas, Edward HaslemThomas, JohnThomas, Henry

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Thomas, Walter